Skillz & Thrillz: Alberta's Trade & Tech Youth

In this episode, we sit down with Skills Canada Alberta alumna Kyla Smith, a student from Lord Beaverbrook High School, to discuss her journey through the Hairstyling competition. After competing at the Intermediate level in 2025, Kyla set her sights on returning to the competition in Senior Hairstyling—and she did just that, earning gold at the 2026 Provincial Skills Canada Competition and bronze...

In this episode, we sit down with Aesthetics alumna, Jenna Holman. Jenna competed in 2019, where she earned gold at the provincial level, securing her place on Team Alberta. That same year, she went on to represent the province at the Skills Canada National Competition in Halifax, where she brought home a bronze medal. Today, Jenna is a medical aesthetician and laser technician working at The Vani...

In this episode, we sit down with Culinary Arts alumna Alyssa Paron, who takes us through her inspiring journey in the culinary world, from competing in the 2015 Skills Canada Alberta Competition, where she earned silver, to advancing to the national stage in Saskatoon later that same year. Alyssa shares what it was like stepping into the high-pressure environment of culinary competition and how t...

In this episode, we’re bringing you a special collection of advice from some of our incredible Skills alumni, just in time for the 2026 Provincial Skills Canada Competition. With the big event right around the corner, this episode is designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready to take on the competition. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear valuable insights, encouragement, and tips fr...

In this episode, we sit down with alumnus Wynn Brown, who competed in Video Production in both 2023 and 2024. Alongside his teammate, Kiyan Karimaghaei, Wynn placed first at the 2024 Provincial Skills Canada Competition, earning their spot on Team Alberta and the opportunity to compete at the 2024 Skills Canada National Competition in Quebec City. Wynn shares how he first got into film, the impact...

In this episode, we sit down with alumnus Chase Cardinal, who competed from 2017–2018 in Job Skill Demonstration, showcasing his talent in special effects makeup and prosthetics application. Chase starts by sharing how he first discovered special effects makeup and what initially drew him to the craft. He then reflects on the impact of his mentor from Lord Beaverbrook High School, a fashion teache...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Jacob McClelland, who will be representing Canada in CNC Milling at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Jacob’s interest in machining grew as he learned more about the precision, creativity, and problem-solving behind CNC Milling. He’s especially inspired by the idea that the small, detail...

In this episode, we’re joined by Workplace Safety alumna Annika Cameron. Annika began her Skills journey in Grade 10 after a teacher encouraged her to try the Skills Alberta competition — and that one “yes” turned into three years of competing and a spot on Team Alberta. In her second year, she proudly brought home a bronze medal. Annika shares what the Workplace Safety competition is all about, w...

In this episode we sit down with Kylar Bloomberg, representing Team Canada in Plumbing, as he prepares to compete on the world stage at the WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai in 2026. Kylar shares how his Skills journey began through mentorship and training with Justin Fisher, his trainer and a former WorldSkills plumbing competitor who represented Canada in 2017. He also talks about working clos...

In this episode, we sit down with Bella Kehoe, a talented Graphic Design alumna whose Skills journey continues to come full circle. Bella first competed in 2023, earning gold at the Provincial Skills Canada Competition and securing her spot on Team Alberta for the national competition in Winnipeg, where she went on to win bronze. She returned in 2024 and did it again, taking home gold provincially...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Anika Jones, who will be representing Canada in Car Painting at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Anika’s path started at NAIT, where her passion for creativity and her love of cars came together in the world of automotive refinishing. Drawn to the blend of artistry, precision, and techn...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Tyler Gunther, who will be representing Canada in Industrial Mechanics/Millwright at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Tyler’s journey began at SAIT, where he dove into his passion for the mechanical world. Incredibly, this was Tyler’s first year competing in the Skills competitions—and...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Logan Peters, who will be representing Canada in Carpentry at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Logan’s carpentry journey began back in Grade 11, when he first discovered the thrill of competition. He continued to sharpen his skills through post-secondary training, eventually competing at the post-secondary le...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Keegan Sturge, who will be representing Canada in Electrical Installations at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Hailing from Fort McMurray, Keegan is making history as the first-ever competitor from Fort McMurray to take the world stage at WorldSkills. His Skills journey began back in high school, where he fir...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!  In this episode, we sit down with Tate McGarry, who will be representing Canada in Cabinet Making at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Tate’s love for woodworking started long before his time at SAIT, where he later honed his skills and discovered his competitive drive. After first competing in Carpentry, he found his niche in Cabinet Making,...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Carter Kokot, who will be representing Canada in Automobile Technology at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Carter’s journey began at SAIT, where his dad, who was also an instructor, encouraged him to compete in the Skills competitions while he was pursuing his studies. Growing up with a...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Lucas Stang, who will be representing Canada in Welding at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026. Lucas’s journey began at Red Deer Polytechnic, where his trainer, Lee Yasinski, encouraged him to compete in the Skills competitions while he was completing his welding program. From that first c...

Welcome to another episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series! In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Benjamin Jamison , who will be representing Canada in Aerospace Technology. Benjamin shares his passion for aircraft and his journey through the Skills competitions, including competing at the national level twice before earning his spot on Team Canada. We talk about his training,...

Welcome to the first episode of the Team Canada Podcast Series!  In this episode, we sit down with Team Canada competitor Luke Emeny, who will be representing Canada in Heavy Vehicle Technology. Luke shares his Skills journey, from training and preparation to the moment he secured his spot on Team Canada. We talk about his excitement for competing on the world stage in Shanghai, China in 2026, and...

Breanne and Kehli Warrington are sisters in the trade! Together, they’ve built their careers in Mechanical Insulation — studying side by side at NAIT, working on-site together, and most recently, competing together at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition, where they proudly brought home silver and bronze.  In this episode, they share what it’s like to navigate the trades as sisters, the c...

In this episode, we sit down with Kade Hamre and Marek Fournier from Brooks Composite High School, the robotics duo who powered their way to gold at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition—earning a spot on Team Alberta—and went on to claim silver at the 2025 Nationals in Regina. Kade and Marek share what it was like to prepare for competition, the challenges of designing and building a succ...

In this episode, we sit down with Diego De Dominicis Barrios, gold medalist in Electronics Secondary at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition. His win earned him a spot on Team Alberta for the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina, Saskatchewan—where he also took home the Team Spirit Award alongside his Ernest Manning classmate, Amal Hussainy. Diego shares his inspiring Skills...

In this episode, we chat with Mikayla Hannesschlager, gold medalist in Bricklaying at the 2025 Provincial Skills Canada Competition and proud member of Team Alberta at the 2025 Skills Canada National Competition in Regina. Mikayla shares her journey into the skilled trades, growing up in a family of bricklayers and finding her own path in refractory work—carving a unique space in a field where her...

In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Turner, gold medalist at the 2018 Provincial Skills Canada Competition in Photography and bronze medalist at Nationals—as she shares her inspiring journey through the world of Skills competitions and beyond. Rachel opens up about the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned, including how overcoming self-doubt played a major role in her success. She...

 In this episode, we sit down with Zack Hartle, a Skills Canada Alberta alumnus, two-time gold medalist in Industrial Control, Electrical Trades Instructor at SAIT, and co-host of the Watts the Word podcast. Zack shares his inspiring journey from competing in Skills competitions to representing Canada at WorldSkills Germany, and how those experiences shaped his career path. Now a Provincial Techni...